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Molecular detection and genetic characteristics of Cryptosporidium spp. in Equus animals in some areas of Anhui Province

  • WANG Jipu ,
  • ZHANG Yujin ,
  • WU Xinghua ,
  • WANG Mingxing ,
  • ZHU Yuqiao ,
  • LUO Hui ,
  • GAO Sichao ,
  • LIU Xinchao ,
  • LI Wenchao
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  • Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Animal Nutritional Regulation and Health, College of Animal Science, Anhui Science and Technology University, Fengyang 233100, Anhui, China

Received date: 2024-04-12

  Revised date: 2024-06-15

  Online published: 2025-01-14

Supported by

Special Fund for Anhui Agriculture Research System(AHCYJSTX-07);Program of Anhui Science and Technology University-Panji District Beef Cattle Industry Research Institute(AKPN2303);Stable Talent Program of Anhui Science and Technology University(dkwd201702);College Students’ Innovative Entrepreneurial Training Plan Program(202310879038);College Students’ Innovative Entrepreneurial Training Plan Program(S202310879065)

Abstract

To investigate the infection status and genetic characteristics of Cryptosporidium in Equus animals in Anhui Province, fresh fecal samples were collected from three horse farms in Chuzhou, Suzhou and Anqing, as well as one donkey farm in Fuyang between November 2019 and January 2022. DNA was extracted from the fecal samples, and nested PCR was used to amplify the Cryptosporidium small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA). For samples that tested positive for SSU rRNA, nested PCR was further performed to amplify the 60-kDa glycoprotein (gp60) gene. Sequencing of the nested PCR positive products was conducted, followed by sequence alignment to analyze the Cryptosporidium species/genotypes/subgenotypes. A total of 455 fecal samples from Equus animals were collected, with 7 samples positive for the Cryptosporidium SSU rRNA, resulting in an infection rate of 1.5% (7/455). The infection rates for horses and donkeys were 1.9% (3/159) and 1.3% (4/296), respectively. The 3 horse-derived SSU rRNA sequences showed 100% identity with the sequences of Cryptosporidium horse genotype (MK775040, ON384432), and the gp60 sequences exhibited 100% identity with the sequence of ⅥaA15G4 subtype (MK761060). The 4 donkey-derived SSU rRNA sequences had 99.58% identity with the C. hominis (KR296813) sequence, and the gp60 sequences showed 100% identity with the ⅠkA16G1 subtype (KU200963, KU200958 and KU200962) sequences. The results of this study indicate that Cryptosporidium infections exist in Equus animals in Anhui Province, with the main species being the Cryptosporidium horse genotype and C. hominis.

Cite this article

WANG Jipu , ZHANG Yujin , WU Xinghua , WANG Mingxing , ZHU Yuqiao , LUO Hui , GAO Sichao , LIU Xinchao , LI Wenchao . Molecular detection and genetic characteristics of Cryptosporidium spp. in Equus animals in some areas of Anhui Province[J]. CHINESE JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY AND PARASITIC DISEASES, 2024 , 42(6) : 796 -801 . DOI: 10.12140/j.issn.1000-7423.2024.06.016

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